The skies above Mar Chiquita , in the province of Buenos Aires , witnessed a momentous occasion for Argentine science and defense . The National Air Force successfully launched the MET 1-SO “Escorpio” sounding rocket.
It is a robust vehicle with 100% local technology , used in a test that marks a milestone in the country's aerospace history.
The mission, carried out at the CELPA II ATLÁNTICO Self-Propelled Missile Experimentation and Launch Center, not only validated technological advances but also confirmed Argentina's capability to design, operate, and recover suborbital flight vehicles.
The main objective of this experiment was to test, under real-life conditions, multiple components developed by national engineers in collaboration with the Institute of Scientific and Technical Research for Defense (CITEDEF).
Among the aspects evaluated are the flight qualification of the solid-fuel propulsion system and the implementation of telemetry systems, encrypted transmission, and artificial intelligence contributions for search and rescue tasks at sea.
But without a doubt, one of the most outstanding achievements was the Recovery of the carrier capsule after its splashdown in the waters of the South Atlantic. An unprecedented advance in the Argentine aerospace industry.
The capsule , which had been undocked at its maximum trajectory, was precisely located and recovered with the help of drones and specialized sensors , in an operation that demonstrates the sophistication achieved in vehicle recovery and control procedures on land and sea.
The mission was led by staff from the General Directorate of Research and Development (DGID) , with the active participation of CITEDEF and other scientific agencies of the State , which consolidated the alliance between technology and national strategy to advance towards space sovereignty .
According to information released by EspacioTech , the vehicle incorporates domestically developed avionics technology , as well as high-frequency telemetry that allows real-time monitoring even during maximum acceleration phases.
Furthermore, its modular and scalable architecture promises future missions of greater complexity , paving the way for more active participation in international space programs.
For experts, this test represents a strategic step that strengthens technological sovereignty and lays the foundation for future space exploration , in addition to opening up new perspectives in defense and scientific development.
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